Tag: nails

Drugstore Favorites for the Fall

I’ve been trolling the beauty section of my local drug store and want to report on some of my current favorites. I’m keeping in mind the fall trends and drier air. Not to mention the big holiday parties we have coming up. Not included in the round up was the obligatory candy corn I stocked up on yesterday. Why is that stuff so good?

CoverGirl & Olay Tone Rehab 2-in-1 Foundation: I’ve been really impressed with this foundation. It has medium coverage with a matte finish, without requiring a ton of product. I love the addition of skin care, so you are working to improve the appearance of your skin. It plays especially well with my drier skin.

Visine Maximum Redness Relief Eye Drops: At first I was skeptical of this red carpet staple. But I am so glad I picked some up at the store. I used it recently before a big event and my eyes were clear and bright. I needed less eye makeup and I appeared more awake. I probably wouldn’t use this in my daily rotation, but I now consider this a “must have” for big nights out.

Olay Age Defying Instant Hydration Serum: Olay is definitely a forerunner in the skin care game along side so many luxury contenders. This hydrating primer would be a perfect moisturizer for someone with oilier skin. I use it as a primer – it has very similar consistancy to Smashbox Hydrating Primer. And I keep it at my desk to treat dry spots throughout the day.

Bio-Oil Scar Treatment: While marketed as a scar treatment, Bio-Oil also makes for a great body oil. While I do use this on some older scars, hoping to see some improvement, I’ve found it makes for a great moisturizer post shower. It has a baby powder scent with a smooth, non-greasy finish.

Essie Miss Fancy Pants: Essie did it again with their fall collection. While the bolder colors are also fabulous, I love this grey taupe for an understated elegance. If you want something more festive, try Stylenomics.

 
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Polish & Co. Nail Polish

Out of North Carolina, Polish & Co. is a new nail polish line with all the sass and beauty of a Southern Belle. Theresa Williamson is the founder and long-time nail industry expert. And her creativity in naming the shades after North Carolina lifestyle is just the beginning.

For fall, she came up with some serious rich and vampy shades that echo what we have already seen on the runways for Fall. I am loving “Eggplant Parmesan”; the perfect deep purpled burgundy, “Jeans 2 Tight” ; a dusky deep blue that mimics the color of a fall night sky or “Too Shy”; a muted nude taupe with the perfect amount of warmth for any neutral nail lover.

Below, I am wearing Code 9 and 5 O’Clock Shadow. Essie Set in Stones is on the tips as a kind of messy French manicure.

Theresa designed the polish for long wear on natural nails and the formula is 3 Free (without Formaldehyde, Toluene or DBP).

Available now for $12 in a selection of finer boutiques, internationally in Nassau, Bahamas and online at www.polishandco.com.

Thakoon for NARS Nail Collection

In honor of the holiday weekend, wanted to send a little Easter eye candy. NARS has partnered with Thakoon to create a vibrant, beautiful six polish collection. Thakoon was inspired by the vibrant colors found in Indian spice markets. The highly saturated, high-shine shades come in an opaque finish, perfect for spring. Shades include:

  • Anardana – Azalea pink
  • Ratin Jot – Orchid purple
  • Amchoor – Bright yellow
  • Kutki – Powder blue
  • Koliary – Cyan blue
  • Lal Mirchi – Mandarin red (only available at NARS 413 Bleecker Street Boutique)

PRICE: $18 each

AVAILABILITY: Beginning May 1, 2012 on www.narscosmetics.com

Happy Easter/Passover weekend to you all!

Spring Trends for Daughter-in-Law Diaries

I am so excited to be guest posting over on Daughter-in-Law Diaries today! Creator, Ali Katz, launched her site as a forum and resource for ladies who are adjusting to their new roles as daughter-in-laws. What a cool idea! She is receiving some phenomenal press – Ali is definitely going places. Head over and check out the new site – I am not even married, and love it 🙂 And here is a sneak peek of the post. Congrats, Ali!

How to incorporate my favorite spring trends into your beauty routine:

Bold Brows

 

via BellaSugar

This Spring, we will see loads of bold prints and colors appear in our closet. To compliment the adventurous look, brows will be stronger and fuller. A prominent brow actually better frames the face. On it’s own, a filled-in, groomed brow can finish the face just as much as a swipe of lipgloss.

To get the look, fill in your brows with Le Metier de Beaute Brow Bound Eyebrow Pencil. It is dual ended with a brush at one end. Use this to comb out the brow hairs first. Then use it after to blend the gel-like formula. Then, to hold the brows in place, comb through Anastasia Brow Gel in Clear.

Bronzed Glow

via tumblr.com

The runway celebrated golden skin that looks just sun-kissed. Instead of risking sun damage, wrinkles and skin cancer, use one of the new bronzing palettes. Use a large brush to lightly dust below the cheekbones, down the bridge of your nose, along the hairline and on your neck. Try Physicians Formula Bronze Booster Glow-Boosting Season to Season Bronzer or Guerlain ‘Terracotta – Four Seasons’ Bronzer. Then add a little Benefit Sunbeam on your cheekbones and brow bone.

Bright Nails

via Belle Belle Beauty

Work those neons and pastels into your nail wardrobe as well. Bring out your inner child and try blues, greens, fuschia and nail art. I love Essie polishes because they are high quality, but at a low commitment cost. And they always have a range of on-trend colors. Their new Resort collection features the bold “Sure Shot” and perfect, purple pastel “She’s Picture Perfect”.

 

 

NARS Diamond Life Nail Polish

This might just be the highlight of NARS Spring collection. And I love this tip by artist, Raquel Grijalva:

“Try this color as a reverse French manicure. Topping a natural nail bed with this metallic violet tip, creates a look on the nails that’s both minimalist and bold.”

What do you think? Is this polish on your list?

Dior Spring Lips & Nails

I feel like I need a lip and nail color cleanse after a holiday season full of deep red and dark jewel tones. Anticipation of spring makes me want to wear something delicate, feminine and pretty. So, no better place to turn than Dior’s Spring 2012 Garden Party Collection. Inspired by a party in a Norman rose garden, the collection features soft pink, purples and pinks – plus a scented, mint-green nail polish I am dying to get my hands on.

Also by Dior, my new Spring lip color, Dior ‘Rouge Dior’ Lip Color in Versailles, is a hydrating, semi-opaque, coral. I like that it isn’t such a deep color that you can’t whip some on without a mirror. The golden shimmer has a gloss-like effect. And the finish has staying power but still has shine.